Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. -- The Wayne State University men's basketball team (10-10 overall, 8-8 GLIAC) struggled from the foul line in the second half (7-of-16) in falling 55-53 at Lake Superior (12-9 overall, 10-6 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon.
The host Lakers started strong scoing seven of the first nine points as WSU made one field goal in its first five attempts.
A triple by junior
Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern) at 17:29 followed by a three-pointer by senior
Larry Edwards (Benton Harbor, Mich.) on the Warriors ensuing possession gave WSU its only lead of the game at 8-7.
LSSU went on a 19-5 run over the next 11 minutes to grab a 26-13 advantage with 5:32 left before intermission.
Wayne State closed out the opening 20 minutes on an 11-5 run to pull within seven (31-24) at halftime. LSSU's last bucket of the half came on an inbounds pass after a rebound was ruled off a Warrior. That bucket would prove to be crucial for the host Lakers in the second half.
The Warriors were within four (35-31) after starting the second half on a 7-4 run. LSSU tallied seven of the next nine points for its largest lead of the second half (nine, 42-33).
A triple by Edwards was followed by a jumper from Udanoh to make it a four-point game (42-38) with 11:14 left. Another Udanoh hoop made it a two-point contest before LSSU's Garrett Konuszewski made two foul shots.
The Laker lead remained between two (46-44) and five (51-46, 53-48). Udanoh made the first free throw and then freshman
Mike Hollingsworth (Utica, Mich.) put in the offensive rebound cutting the deficit to two at 53-51.
After a Laker missed shot, Udanoh made the second of a double bonus but LSSU's Kyle Hunt hit foul shots with 6.2 seconds left giving the hosts a 55-52 lead.
Warrior sophomore
Dale Brundidge (Southfield, Mich./Detroit Country Day) was fouled after crossing halfcourt but only sank the second of a double bonus situation.
Hollingsworth fouled Hunt with 2.7 seconds left. Hunt missed both and Udanoh's shot from Lake foul line went off the rim.
Udanoh had a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, both game-high totals. Larry Edwards had a career-high 11 points.
Wayne State returns home for four consecutive contests starting with Hillsdale on Thursday evening in a game that will be televised live by Comcast.